Android 4.0.4 (build IMM76D) is hitting the Android Open-Source Project now according to Google developer Jean-Baptiste Queru. The update was sent to a small number of devices yesterday, like the Verizon LTE Galaxy Nexus (check out our in-depth review of the Galaxy Nexus here) and the Motorola XOOM Wi-Fi. Queru notes that the incremental update brings a few hundred changes over Android 4.0.3.

Those who got the update on their LTE Galaxy Nexus and Motorola XOOM devices are reporting better battery life, performance and signal strength. As Queru points out, the code release doesn’t mean that the update will hit devices any day now. Updates will depend on carriers and device manufacturers. Of course even the stock Android Galaxy Nexus GSM, was still still stuck on Android 4.0.2 and suffering from the same old random reboot bug.continue reading

CyanogenMod’s popularity lies in the fact that the ROM brings to Android a level of customization never seen before. The CyanogenMod team already let us know that they will be releasing individual parts of their upcoming Android Ice Cream Sandwich based CyanogenMod 9 ROM. First the CM9 launcher titled Trebuchet was made available as an APK file, and today you can download the CyanogenMod 9 Music app as a standalone application.

The Music app is extremely customizable; using a theme engine, designers can change every UI element in the app. If you’d rather have the familiar Android Ice Cream Sandwich look, you can download the ‘Google Music’ theme which is based on the latest version of the Google Music app. Within the application you can share what you are listening via social, set songs as ring tones, delete tracks and search. There is a drag-and-drop queue and playlist, a custom lockscreen, and shake and flip actions — you can pause your music by flipping the device face down, and you can customize the shake action to skip tracks for example. The app also comes with a number of custom widgets.continue reading

We’ve included Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich as one of our favorite pieces of tech for 2011. The main reason Android made it to our shortlist and into our hearts is that because it is an open source project, third-parties are able to use it and build on top of it. If there is something more you want from you mobile OS, or you want to get rid of some annoying feature, chances are there is either an aftermarket ROM, third-party launcher, or an app to do that.

You might know of the team over at CyanogenMod (CM), which creates and publishes for free its own streamlined Android ROMs for over 50 devices. As manufacturers and mobile carriers linger on old versions of Android, CM was the best way for many to update their devices to the latest Android version.

As promised Google made the source code of Android 4.0.1 Ice Cream Sandwich open yesterday. This means that developers can download the code and start tinkering.

Of course, the CyanogenMod team has followed suit and has announced via Twitter that we should be seeing an Ice Cream Sandwich infused CM9 in two months, more or less. This is great news, since most manufacturers will only start to officially update Android devices in the beginning of 2012, with attention placed on 2011 devices first, while some older devices might not be upgraded at all.continue reading